Leave This at Home When You Visit Mexico
If you're like me, you can't just leave work behind. You have a laptop you travel with for work, and you also have a personal tablet to browse the internet, stream movies, or play games. When you travel to Mexico, though, you'll have to choose which of those electronics to bring with you, and which to leave at home. Mexico has customs rules that have been in existence for some time, and over the last few years, they have started enforcing these rules more than in the past.
You are only allowed to bring 1 (one) computing device into Mexico, tax free, whether you are on vacation or living there. This means, if you bring a laptop AND a tablet/iPad, you will have to pay tax/duty on one of them, depending on the value of the device. In 99% of cases, the person bringing a laptop and an iPad is doing so for work purposes, but customs agents have to assume that anyone doing so could be trying to sell one of the devices, hence the taxing.
Another thing you'll need to leave at home is electronic cigarettes or vapes. This includes whether you are flying into Mexico or arriving by cruise ship. In October 2024, Mexico's Chamber of Deputies voted to expand the ban on electronic cigarettes and vaporizers, aiming to curb synthetic drug use and address public health concerns. This legislative action builds upon previous measures, including a presidential decree, to prohibit the importation and sale of such devices. As a result, the possession, use, importation, and sale of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices are now illegal in Mexico.
Travelers should be aware that bringing these items into the country or using them within Mexican territory could lead to legal consequences, including fines or other penalties.
Although there are several states in the US that have legalized marijuana and its products, all forms of the drug are illegal in Mexico, including CBD oil, gummies, and other infused products or types of cannabis.
Lastly, and this has been in effect for quite some time, you can only bring 10 (ten) packs of cigarettes into the country with you. Any more, and you will be taxed as if you are selling them, and the fines are quite hefty!
If any of this is news to you, we're happy to help you avoid starting your Mexican vacation off on the wrong foot. If you'd like someone to have your back as you plan your international travel, please give one of our advisors a call to start planning today!
